xboxlive: Hey there Rarebit, when could we see the Zen master tree in full use?
rarebit: That is a scheduling secret that cannot be revealed!
bonopi: Will LET ever come back?
rarebit: Hm, that's *kind* of a scheduling question... In any case, I will say that we devs would love to have a dedicated Live Events Team of some sort or other, but time, money, and probably administrative/legal wrangling will tell if this ends up happening--and these things are not in our sweaty little hands.
Abigor666: Will us cypherites get our org soon?
rarebit: Scheduling/story spoiler question! Can't really answer that. Until you do, please feel free to act like you have an org. Bandanas forever!
TetraCleric: Why is Ghost Bald?
rarebit: If I remember correctly, it's because we didn't get the rights to use the likeness of that movie actor in the game. This wasn't discovered until right near the end of Beta, so up until that point, he had hair, just like in the movie!
Fugitiv3: How bout that sound-loop while hyperjumping bug?
rarebit: That's a QA question, and they aren't available for questions! It's also a future release question!I will say, though, that we hate bugs, and that it always helps us out if you can report them using the in-game slash command and provide as many details as possible. What's best is when you can provide the exact steps needed to reproduce a bug (and try them yourself first to make sure they work).
Fugitiv3: What does Walrus keep on the wall of his cubicle?
rarebit: HAH! Walrus will have to answer this, so that means I'm probably off the hook for the rest of the night. If he hasn't answered by tomorrow morning, I'll go investigate.
{SoG}Esky: Since we already have information about CR2.0, and it's a very near future release...is there any chance we can get a screenshot of something the CR2.0 will bring us?
HCfrog: NO! Thanks for playing.Okay seriously, the people working on CR2.0 are working their butts off on that right now, getting it into presentable shape, and I wouldn't want to show any pictures of unfinished stuff... I'd rather let it speak for itself... I... I...I'll see if I can get a screenie of anything interesting tomorrow at work. But for now, let's open this up for another question
Abigor666: Will you please change Veils look from when she went under the Alias Toorima aka. Tasha Spencer?
HCfrog: Okay this begs the question... why don't you have a crush on the joker? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!?!?!I believe Veil's RSI actually has been updated, and is much different than Toorima's. Another screenshot to dig out tomorrow I guess...
Abigor666: Will the sub orgs be hostile to their original counterprts when implemented ?
HCfrog: Unfortunately, that falls under the category of questions I can't answer at this time.
Viscidos: Will there be more cowbell?
HCfrog: As much cowbell as we have now times TEN
1nfern0: Was there ever thoughts for players to purcase our own lot [i.e. house, base, and such]?
HCfrog: In the past, there were thoughts about this. What thoughts? Who can say, grasshopper. I can't really say much about future content, except that our schedules are pretty tight with other updates, fixes and content for the near future.
Inthebackground: We heard an awful lot about the combat revision for months now. I'm curious as to whats on the developer agenda for after CU 2.0, will it just be 2.1 or are ya gonna get back to advancing the storyline?
HCfrog: As far as updates to the game, I can't say.As far as storyline goes... it's marching on even now. Of course critical missions and cinematics have never gone away, and we're hoping to start leveraging the new LESIG group to improve what we can do for Live Events, and increase everyone's exposure to the storyline.
bonopi: Can we expect to see faction panel enhancments, team duels, and a more meaningful CQ system after the Combat Revamp?
HCfrog: Faction Panel: I really couldn't say, both because I don't know if this is in the works, and if it is, I don't know (and probably couldn't tell you) when it would be planned for. I know exactly why you're asking this though, that thing... uh, yeah Team Duels: Similar answer, except I feel this one would be less likely to be put in. Not because it's a bad idea or anything, it's a great idea, and if I remember correctly it was even in the manual that this worked... *sigh*... but I just have my hunchesCQ: Okay, I don't know of any current plans to revamp the CQ system. BUT... there is something I am going to push really hard to get put in after the dust settles from the CR. It's something that I think would add a lot to the game, and I've seen some people propose similar concepts on these forums. Basically, something that would add an actual reason to PvP... maybe fighting for control over places or things... perhaps granting Org benefits... maybe even adding some sort of balancing for Org populations... Now please keep in mind this idea is not even on the schedule yet, it hasn't been approved in any way, shape or form, and I haven't even figured out how much time it would take to implement, or exactly how we would do it. But I think it would be pretty cool!
[continued]
Cognoscente: How long have you been with the MxO team HCFrog, and what did you do before this?
HCfrog: I joined the team pretty late - about 4 months before the game shipped. I started out just writing missions but my role has expanded to include a lot more game design type things; gotta say Archon is a pretty cool boss when it comes to thatThis is by far the coolest job I've ever had - in fact it's my first game job. Previous jobs included writing tax software and helping dissect dead octopi.
ShadowSK: In Dev Journal 01, Archon mentions much needed updates to the in-game Marketplace:
Marketplace
We are also working on some significant improvements to the Marketplace. The Marketplace should be a great tool for players trying to buy and sell items and the current system needs to be re-tooled. Improvements are focused around expanding the design and fixing broken or user-unfriendly issues. Our goal is to implement an overhauled Marketplace before the end of the year.As you can see, he says the goal is to have it implemented by the end of this year.So my question is: How are you progressing with the marketplace and what new features can we expect to see?rarebit: This is a future release question! Abort! Abort!
bonopi: Whats up with the white hallway with doors...did devs use them during beta or is this something that was planned but never used...
rarebit: Whoa, two questions! To answer the first: they are from the movies! =)
Abigor666: Who is your favorite character from the matrix universe and why?Btw whoever modeled the new veil rsi owns
rarebit: I'm split on that one. For having fun, the Merovingian: the ultimate bon vivant. For getting deep down into the messy guts of the Matrix, the Oracle.To answer your non-question (see how sneaky he is?), I pieced Veil together from existing parts--if you look close, you'll probably recognize most of them, but maybe in different colors. Tinting skin in our NPC RSI system is a bit of a pain, which is why only her head is exposed. I took some glory shots of her a month or so ago, but then realized my AA had shut off (darn task-switching on my vid card!) so they were all jaggy. Maybe I'll see if Walrus will let me post them anyway.
bonopi: what are the doors used for?
rarebit: There are proposals on the table for doing something with them, but it is unknown if they will work smoothly. Maybe the QA server will help us with that somewhere down the road. No promises, though.Abigor666: When choosing the name Enmascarado for one of the masked men. Was there any hidden refference to the zorro series or are my theories wrong?
rarebit: No idea, but if that name occurs there, then probably yes. The old LET team came up with the name, as far as I know.
rarebit: Future release question! Nyahahaaaa!
Abigor666: Are there any plans to implement more dev tools to help run events more smoothly on the hostile server?
rarebit: Future release question! Nyuk nyuk nyuk! *hits gong*
Peer 2.0:What is your redpill name?
rarebit: Same as my forum handle. I'm old school. I also haven't logged in with that character in ages, but months and months ago when I was freezing in my old Monolith office, rubbing my hands together to stay warm in the broken air conditioning, I used to log in with Rarebit, dance near newbie hardlines, and give cryptic answers to people who stopped to ask me questions while trying to come up with crit mission ideas. That was back when /dance prevented you from getting kicked for idling. Ah, those were the days
Abigor666: What do you think Veil will do when Seraph finds out she stole his glasses?
rarebit: If you look closely, you'll notice at least one important difference between their glasses.
Chuui: Are there any plans to fix Team Member Recall?
rarebit: Future release question! No answer for you!
Abigor666: Who checks agent paces email?
rarebit: Agent Gray. The old perv
Abigor666: Then who checks Agent Grays email?
rarebit: Deus ex Machina.
kingcaw: Do you guys listen to any in-game radio stations?
rarebit: Answering for myself: not on a regular basis. Once I blundered into a club with my alt though (I was looking for cake, to tell you the truth) and found some French Merovingian players having a party and advertising their radio station, so I came back with the Merovingian, and he brought the cake, and I practiced my French and only screwed up bad once!kingcaw: If you could click your fingers and implement one new feature to the game without the endless coding and testing etc - what would it be?
rarebit: A full-fledged quest system, integrated with our super-complex interior mission system. But now that I've said it, you can be sure that it's never going to happen! Muhahaha! Man, that's a weight off.
Viscidos: What can players do to help with development of new content?
rarebit: Pound on the QA server when it goes up, and keep posting on the forums!
jeffers: In the releases about the combat upgrade it mentions that stats can no long be increased by using stats.Are the existing items just going to be replaced in our inventorys or grandfathered like has previously occured?rarebit: That *is* a future release question. However, I will say this: in the future we will not be "grandfathering" items by having them decay rapidly except in the case of extreme exploit-type emergencies. The whole thing with the old Richland/Westview dungeon loot decaying was an implementation of an old team practice that was not re-examined sufficiently by yours truly. *sigh*
Viscidos: Would you like to join the Vector faction for QA?
rarebit: I don't think you realize what you're asking. The only way I win fights is by meatwadding people--and they probably wouldn't let me do that too much in QA.
kingcaw: Ah - heres one - why was the ability to add LET members to your buddy list removed?
rarebit: I don't know about it being removed. But if it's anything like the reason why you can't send them tells, it's because the name you see on your screen is usually not their real name, but just a database hack--because even we can't have two characters with the same name between servers.
jeffers: After the storyline which was written by Paul Chadwick for the first year (about 5/6 months left?) has been completed, is he going to carry on writing the story line or is SOE going to be moving away from that? (Might be a hidden agenda type question though)
HCfrog: Paul is still working with us -- I haven't seen all of his ideas, but from talking with him it sounds like he has at least a rough storyline for a LOT more than the first year
Symmetric: Wiill we ever get to meet Anome in-game? He's my hero.
HCfrog: Yeesh, you should be careful what you ask for, Symmetric. And... uh... possibly.
PBlade: Previously it was mentioned about factors stopping the hiring of a new LET. Can you elaborate?
HCfrog: Basically cost. The LET that we had at launch cost an awful lot of money to support. Everybody make 10 of your friends subscribe to MXO!
Megaritz: Are the devs ever going to fix ignore so it works in area chat again? How am I supposed to properly ignore that guy who says stupid stuff, and that other guy who says stupid stuff without ignore working properly?
HCfrog: Good question! I honestly don't know... and I am staying home sick from work today spamming the forums so I can't check Your concern about that one guy has been noted though.
FAOrien: Will we get new clothing and weapons?
HCfrog: Okay: The CR is going to change a LOT of things in the game. For one thing, all of the numbers that affect things are changing... so all of the old enhanced items don't make sense any more. One of our technical designers is going to be changing the buffs on every single enhanced item in the game... which adds up to something like 14,000 items I believe. It might be more, I can't rememeber off the top of my froggy head. But basically, all of the existing stuff is going to act differently.Another thing that is changing is what contributes to your overall combat roll. I'm not too clear on it, but I believe that clothing and items will become a bit less important, and attributes, fighting styles, and abilities will become more important.Finally, the whole slums reflow brought to light a big issue with our buffed items. Is there any other game out there where a level 50 character is using an item from a level 5 special quest? Despite the insane number of items we have, there are obviously some gaps in mid-high level items. I personally would like to see the drops stay the way they are, to discourage high level players from camping low level bosses, but then add some better high level loot so those level 50s don't have to be pining away for their noob gear.
bonopi: how is the future of MxO's lag problem?
HCfrog: Future question plus I don't know!!! *gong*
stuporfluous: how feasible are the ideas posted in this thread about system and nonsystem mission trigger item emails?a few of the specific ideas:* the system set up to automatically email ppl certain mission trigger items (a la pandora's box items)* the system set up to track which triggered missions u have already completed* the system set up to automatically email ppl certain mission trigger items when particular flags have been tripped and to similarly exclude the possibility of other emailing of other mission trigger items (with a mind towards making exquisitely complex neighborhood contact mission subplots)* er, this doesn't really condense well. other posters on the thread suggested really great ideas too.
HCfrog: The feasibility goes down as you get further down the list.The first point seems pretty feasible.The second point is doable but would take more work.The third point, while a cool idea, looks like it might become a prohibitive amount of work as it became more "exquisitely complex".The fourth point is INSANEOverall I think it would be a cool use of the email system to further immerse players into the MXO universe.
Stack:: Will gamecards be reissued/reactivated?
HCfrog: Stuff with game cards and whatnot is totally not in our hands. All of the billing issues are always corporate -- so if there are game cards that work for other SOE games, they'll work with ours, and beyond that, I haven't a clue.
DeBarlo: Prior to release there was an article or interview that mentioned crew constructs and hovercrafts. I recall a comment about hovercrafts being upgradable to provide some sort of buff for the entire crew. Has this idea been shelved or is it still a possible future implementation?
HCfrog: This pretty much falls under the future content clause, however I have to stress that even if something has been shelved, it's still always a possible future implementation.
PhanthomZtryker: What's with the glitchy ads?
HCfrog: Do you mean how they have some Z-fighting issues on some video cards? That's a bug. I believe it's being fixed very soon.
cloudwol: Are you devs aware of the easily feasible and great outfit shell idea?
HCfrog: Yes, at least I'm aware of it. I think it probably isn't quite as easily feasible as you might hope, though. Oh and since it's related -- it's true that clothing isn't being completely nerfed. I am not totally in on exactly what the CR is doing, since I'm busy on other things, but my impression is this:Say you have a fight between two people, they're both Aikido Grandmasters. One of them is really good at the game, loves to PvP all the time, has all their points in perception, but is naked. The other one has all the uber clothes on, but just got all of their Aikido stuff, and in fact leveled to 50 using Data Miner, and all their points are in Reason.With the existing combat system, I suspect it would be more of an even fight, because clothing can really add a lot to your rolls, plus add a ton of health regen, IS regen, etc. Actually if the second person was that much of a noob, they'd probably lose no matter what. But you see where I'm going - the clothes really matter a lot.In the new system, I think it's going to be a lot different. Primarily the attributes are going to affect a lot more. It won't be any more "put all your points into perception if you're MA", but the person with a good MA attribute build will have a big advantage over a person with a good, say, hacker build. So probably no matter what the second person wears, the first person will now have a bigger advantage.Of course when it comes down to two people who both have a good MA build and both really know how to fight, the clothing might still be the deciding factor.And keep in mind, all of this is coming from someone who's not entirely in the loop, just my impression from hearing about it
DeBarlo: Funny you should bring up data miner. I was just thinking data mining needs a revamp. It's a feature that not many players use. What about adding occassional code bit drops from mining or even acquiring storyline documents (while mining the floating feast you pick up on an important email)?
HCfrog: I would love to revamp data miner. That's all I have to say about that.
PhanthomZtryker: Can we get confirmaton if we are going to have a holiday event?
HCfrog: Please see leading, hint-laden post by Walrus.
CooliceT: how would i get a job like yours?
HCfrog: Are you referring to this thread?If so... I think there are a lot of cool ideas.Some of them, like the thing about having rep with certain contacts or factions of contacts, would be kind of tricky. In addition to that, it would be against the original design of the neighborhood contacts. The design was always from the beginning, that your work with the Orgs would affect rep, while the neighborhood contacts were bonus material and anyone could play through all of it, regardless of what the story implications are. And quite frankly, I like that... the more neighborhood contact missions you play, the less assassination missions you grind I really like the idea of breadcrumbing people around the city to the different contacts. When I get a chance, I'm going to see if I can make an item that adds a waypoint on your map.Also, I don't know that anybody mentioned this, but if each of the neighborhood contacts gave out a unique buffed item at the end, maybe we could fill in the item gaps, as well as provide an extra incentive to play the neighborhood missions.To make a long story short (too late!) I think using email in ways to promote the story, and to spread content more, is a very good thing.And tell me if I read the wrong thread
Walrus: I've seen a lot of suggestions for the email system in that and other threads. At this time we don't have room in the schedule for additional email features--even the ones we'd like ourselves.
As for the CR2.0 screenshot: Honestly, looking at still images won't show you much about the revision. The Combat UI is gone, there are new targeting reticles beneath the players' feet, and you'll see a few extra state icons. However, I know you're itching for more about CR2.0, so here it is. Keep in mind: Even when you first get to play it, this is still a work in progress.
[Thats everything as of 12.16pm GMT Fri 16th Dec]
CloudWolf: Nope frog, i was referring to this thread...
http://mxoboards.station.sony.com/matrix/board/message?board.id=general&message.id=44299
i have made a quick run down of all the good ideas on the last page i do believe...
WHY OH WHY CANT WE AT LEAST HAVE AN OUTBOX?!
HCfrog: Okay, so I finally read the correct email thread. I gotta echo Walrus -- some great ideas in there, but our schedulis jam packed. And thanks Walrus for the screenshot!Oh and V for Vendetta is sooooooo O/T... so... there was a question about redoing or otherwise revisiting old critical mission content. We're not supposed to address future content... but... next patch isn't so far into the future... uh... okay someone ask another question.
Abigor666: I know attribute revamp hacks are classified as singletons at this time if the players that decided to save theirs for the revamp don’t use it before the new one is sent out will it not stack for us?
HCfrog: I don't think it will; however, I think there are plans to make revamp hacks a little more readily available on the test server, so we can get better coverage of how the new attributes work.
Bonopi: whats the spy tree going to be used for in combat in CU 2.0
HCfrog: Good question. I really don't know, but I want to open the thread up for more questions. I'm home sick again or I would pop over and ask Archon about this -- I know that we talked about this, with no multi-on-one IL, what does a spy do? But I don't know how it's being resolved.I can assure you though, everybody here would like spies to be a little better, i.e. make it a tree that you could level all the way from 2 and have fun even if you aren't teaming with other people.
Bonopi: what are your thoughts on the dye fragments for clothing...
HCfrog: It would be really cool. And, pretty unfeasible given the system we have. Basically, in order to be able to dye stuff, say, 16 different colors, we would have to expand the size of the clothing database by 16 and make 16 copies of every single item in there, which our database just wouldn't support. I also really like the idea someone else had for stripping the buffs from a piece of clothing and putting it on another one, but that wouldn't be doable for the same reason.I do have an idea to alleviate the cookie cutter level 50's however, but I'll post more about that on a separate thread sometime in the near future
Zimb: What do you think about this?I know your schedule is packed, just wondering if it's feasible in the future.
HCfrog: Looks like an interesting idea and you obviously put a lot of thought and time into it. I have to say, though, I personally have the same reservations as some of the people who replied. The orgs in the game are an integral part of the storyline and the fiction of the Matrix. There would be no way to have critical missions for those new orgs. And the system you've presented for player-created standard missions is a pretty cool and novel idea, but I think it would be way more intense to implement than you might suspect.
Bonopi: why hasn't the website been updated since SOE took over?
HCfrog: I don't know, we (the devs) have very little to do with the website. My personal belief is that the website is powered by squirrels on a treadmill, and someone forgot to oil a gear somewhere, or something of a similarly advanced technical nature.
